“Hell no. I’m scared to death.”
“So am I.”
Will forced a chuckle. “Glad we got that out of the way. I might be scared, but I know you’ll give this trial everything you’ve got.”
“And if that isn’t enough?”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, sweetheart, like we always have.”
The endearment had slipped out, unbidden. On the other end of the call, there was silence—then, at last, a muffled whisper. “Oh, Will . . .”
“Don’t go anywhere,” he said, knowing that if there was one chance in a million for them, he had to take it now. Long strides carried him down the steps to where his pickup was parked. A moment later, the truck was rocketing down the road toward town.
* * *
Tori’s porch light was off when Will pulled into her driveway. The windows were dark except for the faint glow of a lamp in the living room. Pulse racing, he walked up to her front porch and, instead of ringing the bell, gave a light rap on the front door. If she’d gone to sleep, he wouldn’t wake her. But if she was inside, waiting . . .
His heart dropped as she opened the door. She was dressed in her baggy blue sweats, no shoes, her ponytail askew, her eyes set in weary shadows. The bridge of her nose was marked with a red spot where her glasses had rested. To Will, she had never looked more desirable.
Without a word she clasped his arm and drew him inside. He crushed her close, one hand reaching back to shut the door and lock it behind him. Their kisses were hungry, frantic. She moaned as his mouth devoured her, ravishing her lips, her tongue, her face, her throat. Lord, how he needed her—this stubborn, tender, maddeningly sexy woman who set him on fire every time he looked at her.
Her fingers tore at his shirtfront, buttons popping to the floor as she yanked it open. Will’s hand found the hem of her sweatshirt and slid upward against her warm skin. She flinched slightly. “You’re cold,” she whispered.
“Warm me.” The words rasped from a deep well of need. His seasoned fingers unhooked her bra, freeing one satin breast to fall against his work-roughened palm. Heaven in my hand. He stroked her, thumbed her taut nipple. Little whimpers rose in her throat. She arched against him, her body begging for what they both wanted so desperately.
His erection was rock hard, the jutting pressure threatening to push through his worn jeans. Tori’s hand tugged at his belt buckle, her fingers eager but awkward—too slow for what he needed now.
With a half-muttered growl, he swept her toward the stairs of the split-level house. Fumbling in their frantic haste, they left a trail of clothes along the upstairs hallway—his boots, jeans, and boxers; her sweats, bra, and lovely lace panties—all in a tangle. Naked, they tumbled into the bed, and then he was there, where he’d yearned to be—deep inside her, his swollen sex thrusting into that slick, honey-sweet warmth.
Her long legs wrapped his hips. Her hands clasped his shoulders as he lost himself in the silken feel of her, in the womanly smell and taste of her, and in the sound of her little love cries as he brought her to her climax, once, then again, until he shuddered and burst in a release that shook him like an earthquake.
Spent, he lingered above her, bracing on his arms. She lay with her hair fanned on the pillow, her lips swollen from his kisses. “Can you stay?” she whispered.
“For a little while. But not for long. I’ll need to be getting back to the ranch.”
“Come here.” She pulled him down to her, stretching onto her side so they could lie in each other’s arms. Will checked the urge to thank her and to tell her how much he loved her. This was no time for words, or for making promises he might not be able to keep. For now, all he could do was hold her close and be grateful. Whatever tomorrow might bring, at least this night would be his to remember.
* * *
Too restless to sleep, Drew Middleton drove slowly up Main Street and turned the corner toward Tori’s house. He’d planned on staying clear of Will Tyler’s trial, leaving Tori to do her job. But then, out of the blue, the county prosecutor had called him as a witness. Drew had tried to excuse himself, arguing that the only thing he’d witnessed was Tori’s end of the conversation with Will. But Clay Drummond had insisted that was enough. Drew would bet a week’s salary that Stella Rawlins had had a hand in this. He should never have opened up to the woman.
Tori had asked him not to phone her until the trial was over. Even after Clay Drummond’s call, Drew had tried to keep his distance. But tonight he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Was she all right? Should he let her know that he’d be testifying for the prosecution?
At least it wouldn’t hurt to drive past her house and see if she was awake. It was late, but she might still be up prepping for the trial. If the lights were on, he could phone her. She might even invite him in.
As he neared her house, he could see that the place was dark. Then he noticed something else—Will Tyler’s pickup, parked in the driveway.
Drew’s hands tightened on the steering wheel as he resisted the urge to stop and do something he might regret. It was after midnight. If Will was here at this hour, it could only mean one thing. Marching up to the door and confronting him, or Tori, would only be an exercise in humiliation.
Tires spat gravel as Drew gunned the engine and roared away. What a fool he’d been, letting Tori string him along while, all this time, she’d still been in love with her ex-husband.
He remembered their dates, their kisses, and the way she’d always seemed to be holding something back. Had she cared for him at all, or was she just hedging her bets in case Will went to prison?
Either way, he was through playing along with Tori’s games—and after tomorrow’s trial she would know it.
* * *
Will eased himself out of Tori’s bed and stood looking down at her. She lay in a pool of moonlight, the rumpled sheet framing one perfect breast. Her eyes were closed in sleep, the lips he had kissed softly parted. He checked the impulse to lean down and kiss her one last time. She needed her rest, and it was time he was leaving. When she woke and found him gone, Tori would understand.